- Wildlife
- Wildflowers
- White Clover
Philip Precey
About
White Clover is a very common plant of all kinds of grassy areas in the UK, from lawns to pastures, roadsides to meadows, as both a wild and sown flower. The famous trefoil leaves are collected by Wood Mice and are one of the foodplants of Common Blue Butterflies, while the flowers are sort after by all kinds of bumblebees.
How to identify
Looking for a lucky four-leaf clover is a common game among children, but most White Clover leaves have the familiar trefoil look with three green leaflets, often bearing white markings. The white (sometime pinkish) flowers are borne in rounded heads and appear from May to October.
Where to find it
Widespread.
Habitats
When to find it
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
How can people help
Many of our so-called 'weeds' are beneficial to wildlife, providing food for nectar-loving insects and shelter for minibeasts. Try leaving wilder areas in your garden, such as patches of White Clover in your lawn and Stinging Nettles near the compost heap, and see who comes to visit... To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.